King Charles is to call for unity and building bridges in what he describes as “these uncertain times” of international tension, in a message to mark Commonwealth Day next week.
In the annual message to mark the day on Monday, the King will emphasise the value of nations coming together in a “spirit of support, and crucially, friendship”.
The King has become involved in the diplomatic negotiations involving the UK, the US and Ukraine – with the monarch warmly welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader’s disastrous meeting with US President Donald Trump and with a state visit planned for Trump.
A Commonwealth country, Canada, also faces its own tensions with Trump’s administration, as he has called for Canada to become the US 51st state.
Commonwealth Day is traditionally marked with a service at Westminster Abbey and this year the King and Queen will attend alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales.
In his message, the King will say: “In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth’s remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship.”
It is a message that he has made before – that the diversity of peoples and cultures is a strength and not a weakness.
But it is a message now against a backdrop of global tensions, as the US pushes for an end to the war that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As well as a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian President Zelensky, the King this week held a meeting with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, a Commonwealth leader who has faced pressure from the US.
King Charles is Canada’s head of state and ahead of the meeting Trudeau said: “Nothing seems more important to Canadians right now than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation.”
The King used the Commonwealth, with its 56-member nations, as an example of co-operation between countries.
“The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today,” says the King’s message.
The service at Westminster Abbey on Monday will emphasise the multicultural diversity of the Commonwealth, with the royal guests being met by a pipe band from a Hindu eco-temple in north-west London.
There will be music from an African arts group, the Masai Cultural Arts team.
And singer Joan Armatrading will perform a version of her song, Love and Affection.
, by artists including Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue and Raye.
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